New South Wales things to see and do

Uncommercialised and unpretentious Broken Hill features ancient landscapes and thriving silver trade. The town was built on the site of the world’s largest silver, lead and zinc mines. There’s plenty of things to do here, including mining tours, heritage walks and outback excursions to Mutawintji National Park, where you can see fascinating examples of aboriginal rock art. In recent years artistic pursuits from a growing population of writers, artists and sculptors have flourished providing a unique impression of the outback.

Sniff, swirl and sip some exceptional Australian wines in the Hunter Valley wine district, famous for winemakers such as Dalwood Estate, De Iuliis and McGuigans. It is a two-hour drive north of Sydney and is Australia's oldest wine region. Boasting over 120 wineries and many restaurants serving local produce, this area is ideal for a romantic getaway.

Couple stunning scenery with the nail-biting fun of windsurfing, kayaking and white-water rafting in the Great Lakes district. Its most popular resort is Port Macquarie, a sophisticated town set in a deluge of greenery with a large koala population. Nestled against the Pacific Ocean, this coastal hotspot boasts 17 beaches, isolated estuaries and the charming and petite Hastings River region, which offers an appealing array of wines and gourmet foods.

New South Wales boasts a veritable array of countryside landscapes, which are best experienced at its many parks and nature reserves. The Royal National Park, just 32km (20 miles) outside Sydney, is the oldest park in Australia and the second-oldest in the world. Go for bushwalking, hiking, whale watching and fishing. It is rich in Aboriginal history, with Audley a good place to start at.

Get into some serious mountain country and have your breath taken away at the sight of Australia's majestic highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko. The Australian Alps are covered in a smattering of twisted snow gums, which when dusted with snow, turn into a hub for snow sports. Shredders can get their kicks with a wide array of runs and resorts, catering for everything from snow-shoeing to snowboarding. Perisher is the largest resort, whereas Thredbo boasts a charming village and longest run. The season runs from June – October. It is also a centre for cold climate wines – Tumbarumba is the best region to sample some local brews. The main visitor centre is at Jindabyne.

Do as the locals do and paddle out at the world-famous beaches of Bondi and Manly in Sydney. Surf with the big boys at Bronte, Coogee, Collaroy, Palm and Byron Bay beaches. Port Macquarie and Coff's coast in the north of the state are great surfing territories with Scott Dillon's Legends Surf Museum an ideal place to visit when on dry land.

Don your most colourful outfit and join in with Australia’s most vibrant extravaganza - the world-famous Sydney LGBT Mardi Gras. With a glittering parade of floats and performers and a citywide explosion of colour and culture, the festival is attended by hundreds of thousands of people each year. Held in February, highlights of the two-week event include the launch, the Oxford Street parade and post-parade event and Harbour party.

Step back in time in The Rocks area (the site of Australia's first European settlement), which features cobbled streets, gas lamps, craft shops and small restaurants. This district offers a great introduction to Sydney's maritime history, as well as providing some of the best views across to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Food-lovers should swing by on Fridays for a taste of heritage at The Rocks Foodies markets and browse for gifts and treats on the weekends at the traditional Rocks Markets. Art buffs will also find their place at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, which hosts an engaging programme of exhibitions year-round.

Rock climbing and mountain walking attract many visitors to Warrumbungle National Park, whose 'Grand High Tops' rank high among Australia’s most spectacular walks. Track through the remnants of ancient volcanoes and climb steep rocky footpaths to reach iconic formations such as the Belougery Spire. In the spring this area erupts into a sea of wildflowers and becomes an ideal spot for birdwatching.